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Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Rosie Project: No. 1: Don Tillman in Books
Jul 28, 2017
Heartwarming, hilarious and bittersweet
Graeme Simsion's protagonist is utterly brilliant, a good look at some of the social anxieties faced by people on the autism spectrum. While some were a little blatantly obvious - repetition and empathy - others were hidden by quirky mannerisms expressed by awkward geneticist Don Tillman. Good at raising awareness on the subject, it makes it understandable to those who have not come across those with these symptoms.
The plot is intriguing right to the end, a mystery wrapped up in a romcom.
The plot is intriguing right to the end, a mystery wrapped up in a romcom.
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) in Movies
Sep 20, 2020
Renée is of course perfect, as are Hugh and Colin and all three of their respective characters. In fact this is still just as tight, snappy, and cute as it was back in the day - but per no real fault of its own this (or at least a hefty amount of its elements) became the basis for pretty much *every* chintzy romcom clone that was to come for the foreseeable future to the point where a lot of this just feels rather rote now in light of that *and* today's version of the mainstream romcom. Not that there still isn't revolutionary stuff that stands out, particularly the representation of a demographic that wasn't usually seen as romantic lead status at the time given by this lead. Though while it starts out lovely enough there's a clear dip in quality at a point and it treads water by the end. I find the first half very interesting in that - at the time - it probably played as a very adorable yet scandalous romp but now plays more like a biting, ballsy foray into societal satire in light of the #MeToo movement. Plus that's when the witty dialogue, engrossment, and visual competence is at its best anyway. But those aforementioned cringey and overused romcom clichés (people falling off boats, making a mess while cooking, interrupting some sort of wedding announcement, cheeky but actually annoying best friends who serve no purpose, etc etc) bog it down more and more until it runs on full autopilot mode. The parent subplot is a nonentity too but that's whatever I guess. Though I do stand with the majority in that the Firth x Grant fight scene is - naturally - a masterpiece. Agreeable even though approximately no interesting threads get pulled.
Trudi (4 KP) rated Four weddings and a fiasco in Books
Jan 26, 2018
Nice heart warming story
Romantic comedies are not my usual read but I felt like a change. And I'm very glad I gave it a try, it was a very easy read as it was full of good scene setting description character build ups and an interesting back story too. Well worth the read, even if you're not a romcom reader.
The story is about Katy who is a wedding photographer with her own business who was left struggling after a family betrayal. Katy learns to trust and eventually love again. There are ups and downs that keep you glued to the book from beginning to end!
The story is about Katy who is a wedding photographer with her own business who was left struggling after a family betrayal. Katy learns to trust and eventually love again. There are ups and downs that keep you glued to the book from beginning to end!
David McK (3172 KP) rated Yes Man (2008) in Movies
Jul 25, 2020
Jim Carrey comedy vehicle, in a return to his more physical comedy of his earlier years, as a man who - after attending a self-help (Cult?) seminar - must say "yes" to every opportunity that comes his way.
Queue a fortuitous meet up with Zooey Deschenal, learning Korean, to play the guitar and how to fly (all of which later come to his aid), in a romcom that pretty much does exactly what you'd expect it to do.
I think, personally speaking, that the main problem with this is that you could forget it pretty quickly: indeed, I'd forgotten I'd ever seen it before until I got about halfway through!
Queue a fortuitous meet up with Zooey Deschenal, learning Korean, to play the guitar and how to fly (all of which later come to his aid), in a romcom that pretty much does exactly what you'd expect it to do.
I think, personally speaking, that the main problem with this is that you could forget it pretty quickly: indeed, I'd forgotten I'd ever seen it before until I got about halfway through!
Andrew Koltuniuk (744 KP) rated Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) in Movies
Dec 12, 2019
This movie.... Was.... *sigh* such a letdown. I wanted to like this movie so much. Iron Ma-- I mean, Spider-man was pretty good in this film. But it felt like a teenage romcom/road-trip movie and a superhero movie thrown together. It was like eating my favorite appetizer dipped in ice-cream.... Yuck. I thought that Jake Gyllenhaal's performance was probably the best. And as a villain he was one that we had seen at least four times before. Also, this is the second Spider-Man movie in a row where we didn't get a Spider-Man villain, we got an Iron Man villain who takes it out on Peter. Boo.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Second Act (2018) in Movies
Jun 22, 2019 (Updated Sep 25, 2019)
Second Act is what I'm going to call a proper romcom, despite the fact that romance isn't actually that prominent in the story. Jennifer Lopez has the knack of this sort of film, she never seems to age either so I'm hoping that we can get a lot more of these on our screens over the next few years.
There's no doubt for me that Lopez is a master in this category of film, she probably has several of the top ten slots, so apart from saying that she was yet again a great leading lady I don't want to bombard you with all the reasons why. What I do want to do is talk about how some of the supporting actors nailed their roles.
Leah Remini as Maya's best friend Joan... yeeeeeees. I can totally identify with Joan, the performance that Remini gives is so entertaining. The swearing, the jeans button, just everything. She's the comic relief, and I know that sounds odd to say about someone in a comedy film but I just mean that you know you're going to get something great from her character.
Dave Foley gets the line of the movie though... "Coxswain my ass." His delivery is perfect and you can guarantee great return for him if you give him one liners like that.
Despite loving this romcom it is a little light on the rom. One of the only notes I made about the romance angle was the fact that I didn't really understand how that whole part of the film played out. I don't think it's really a spoiler to say that they're together, some stuff happens and then they break up... after all that's basically what you'd expect from a romcom. In this genre's world, woman make terrible choices, go out and do things for themselves and then realise what a terrible mistake they've made somewhere along the line. (I may be living in a romcom... I don't want to think about it.) Second Act sticks to that premise really well but I think that it's actually more to do with the rest of her life than the romance side which really just feels like it's there to be able to kick start the rest of the story.
If you love classics like Maid In Manhattan and When Harry Met Sally I honestly think you'll enjoy this, there's something very nostalgic about it that sets it apart from modern attempts at the genre.
(On a separate note, if anyone fancies some crazy dancing to Salt-N-Pepa's Push It please let me know.)
What you should do
This is perfect girls' night out fodder. It's a very enjoyable watch and something a little more light hearted in this bleak January schedule.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
The dress that Maya wears to her interview at F&C is incredible. One of those please!
"The only thing stopping you is you." - This is something I think we should probably all take home from this film
There's no doubt for me that Lopez is a master in this category of film, she probably has several of the top ten slots, so apart from saying that she was yet again a great leading lady I don't want to bombard you with all the reasons why. What I do want to do is talk about how some of the supporting actors nailed their roles.
Leah Remini as Maya's best friend Joan... yeeeeeees. I can totally identify with Joan, the performance that Remini gives is so entertaining. The swearing, the jeans button, just everything. She's the comic relief, and I know that sounds odd to say about someone in a comedy film but I just mean that you know you're going to get something great from her character.
Dave Foley gets the line of the movie though... "Coxswain my ass." His delivery is perfect and you can guarantee great return for him if you give him one liners like that.
Despite loving this romcom it is a little light on the rom. One of the only notes I made about the romance angle was the fact that I didn't really understand how that whole part of the film played out. I don't think it's really a spoiler to say that they're together, some stuff happens and then they break up... after all that's basically what you'd expect from a romcom. In this genre's world, woman make terrible choices, go out and do things for themselves and then realise what a terrible mistake they've made somewhere along the line. (I may be living in a romcom... I don't want to think about it.) Second Act sticks to that premise really well but I think that it's actually more to do with the rest of her life than the romance side which really just feels like it's there to be able to kick start the rest of the story.
If you love classics like Maid In Manhattan and When Harry Met Sally I honestly think you'll enjoy this, there's something very nostalgic about it that sets it apart from modern attempts at the genre.
(On a separate note, if anyone fancies some crazy dancing to Salt-N-Pepa's Push It please let me know.)
What you should do
This is perfect girls' night out fodder. It's a very enjoyable watch and something a little more light hearted in this bleak January schedule.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
The dress that Maya wears to her interview at F&C is incredible. One of those please!
"The only thing stopping you is you." - This is something I think we should probably all take home from this film
Villainous Vee (53 KP) rated Isn't It Romantic (2019) in Movies
Mar 1, 2019
Good cast (1 more)
Funny script
I love Rebel Wilson. She is funny, smart and everything she is in seems a little bit brighter and this is no exception.
Yes it's your typical rom-com, cheesy love story and funny script, but it knows it is and it makes sure that you know it too.
It almost has a 13 going on 30 twist too it although with their own take on it and although I love Rebel I thought I was going to be a bit bored... But I wasn't.
If you want something light hearted, funny, eye candy for the guys and girls, with a bit of love thrown in there then check this film out.
Oh and the sound track is amazing, great choices there, couldn't help but sing along too it!!
Yes it's your typical rom-com, cheesy love story and funny script, but it knows it is and it makes sure that you know it too.
It almost has a 13 going on 30 twist too it although with their own take on it and although I love Rebel I thought I was going to be a bit bored... But I wasn't.
If you want something light hearted, funny, eye candy for the guys and girls, with a bit of love thrown in there then check this film out.
Oh and the sound track is amazing, great choices there, couldn't help but sing along too it!!
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated 3 Holiday Tails (2011) in Movies
Dec 1, 2019
I recorded this one off the TV, 'tis the season for made for TV Christmas movies after all!
Before the first advert break even appeared it was obvious how this film was going to go. It's not really a Christmas film though and there definitely aren't enough festively bedecked dogs.
The storyline is sickly sweet but it does at least give us a fun little romcom. It's a pleasant little film to watch but it isn't going to make anyone's top festive features. It's more likely to fit the bill of harmless film to watch while you put the decorations up or wrap presents.
Julie Gonzalo is a familiar face from lots of different TV shows, most recently Supergirl and she's no bad in the lead role, it's definitely her niece in the film that steals the show though, along with the floofs!
Before the first advert break even appeared it was obvious how this film was going to go. It's not really a Christmas film though and there definitely aren't enough festively bedecked dogs.
The storyline is sickly sweet but it does at least give us a fun little romcom. It's a pleasant little film to watch but it isn't going to make anyone's top festive features. It's more likely to fit the bill of harmless film to watch while you put the decorations up or wrap presents.
Julie Gonzalo is a familiar face from lots of different TV shows, most recently Supergirl and she's no bad in the lead role, it's definitely her niece in the film that steals the show though, along with the floofs!
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Love Wedding Repeat (2020) in Movies
Jul 10, 2020
Disappointing
Whilst the trailer for this didn't wow me, it made me think this film had enough promise to warrant watching. However the end result was rather disappointing.
Cast wise this wasn't bad. Sam Claflin, Eleanor Tomlinson and Olivia Munn are always watchable, although i really can't stand Aisling Bea. The setting and scenery in this are absolutely beautiful, but then you can't really go wrong with Rome. The main problem with this film is the premise of the concept doesn't meet expectations, and the whole thing just isn't particularly funny. It sounds like it should be something similar to Groundhog Day or Edge of Tomorrow, but without spoiling it, it's a bit of letdown. And the laughs are sadly lacking. There are few smart witty quips that raised a smile, but not the full on romcom the trailer promised. Even the romance was rather dull and predictable.
Not one I'd bother to watch again and almost instantly forgettable. There are much better romcoms out there.
Cast wise this wasn't bad. Sam Claflin, Eleanor Tomlinson and Olivia Munn are always watchable, although i really can't stand Aisling Bea. The setting and scenery in this are absolutely beautiful, but then you can't really go wrong with Rome. The main problem with this film is the premise of the concept doesn't meet expectations, and the whole thing just isn't particularly funny. It sounds like it should be something similar to Groundhog Day or Edge of Tomorrow, but without spoiling it, it's a bit of letdown. And the laughs are sadly lacking. There are few smart witty quips that raised a smile, but not the full on romcom the trailer promised. Even the romance was rather dull and predictable.
Not one I'd bother to watch again and almost instantly forgettable. There are much better romcoms out there.
ClareR (5542 KP) rated A Love Of Two Halves in Books
Oct 16, 2019
This is a sweet romcom, telling the story of George and Karen. Karen is a single mum with two children, struggling to make ends meet, working a dead end, minimum wage job in Leeds. George owns a very successful business, lives and works in London and is a Leeds United fan. He decides after a particularly bad trip north to buy a terraced house near Elland Road - which coincidentally is right next door to Karen. They fall in love, and fun and games ensue.
It’s a bit of a predictable love story if I’m honest, but I liked it well enough. There were times when I would have happily knocked some sense in to George, but I’m sure that there are plenty of readers who would find his lack of experience and emotional clumsiness endearing (I did on the odd occasion!).
All in all, a pleasant read, perfect for a summer holiday lying on the beach, I should think!
Thanks to The Pigeonhole for the reading experience, yet again!
It’s a bit of a predictable love story if I’m honest, but I liked it well enough. There were times when I would have happily knocked some sense in to George, but I’m sure that there are plenty of readers who would find his lack of experience and emotional clumsiness endearing (I did on the odd occasion!).
All in all, a pleasant read, perfect for a summer holiday lying on the beach, I should think!
Thanks to The Pigeonhole for the reading experience, yet again!